Depression, Substance Abuse, and Domestic Violence Little is Known About Co-Occurrence and Combined Effects on Low-Income Families

Increasingly, research confirms the prevalence of depression,
domestic violence, and substance abuse among low-income women,
particularly those on welfare. These problems, which may occur
either singly or in combination, can pose serious barriers to
employment and threats to child well-being.

However, little is known about the extent to which these
problems co-occur among low-income families and about their
combined effect on children. Moreover, different treatment systems
that address these problems are often not integrated. And, while
these problems can be detrimental for child development, services
for children are generally not linked with services for adults.
This report summarizes recent research on these issues and offers
recommendations for future research and policy initiatives.